APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FASTENING A CONTAINER AND A CLOSURE

Abstract

 An apparatus (100) and system for fastening a container (201) and a closure (202) in a closed configuration that is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an insertion portion (101) configured for insertion through an aperture (201a) of said container and an aperture (201a) of said closure when said container and said closure are in said closed configuration; a restraining portion (102) configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through said apertures; and wherein the insertion portion comprises: a hanging slot (103), and a mechanism (104) configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from said apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through said aperture such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] Examples of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, system and method for fastening a container and a closure. Some examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to a fastening device for fastening a container and a closure to form retail packaging for a product/products.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional retail packaging, not least for example packaging that is designed to be hung from rails in a retail environment, is not always optimal. Retail packaging may typically be required to securely contain a product/products so as to impede or indicate opening or interference of the retail package. For such retail packages, the act of opening the retail package may at least partially destroy or disfigure the retail package. Thus, the retail package, once opened, may be compromised and rendered unsuitable, suboptimal or visually unappealing for subsequent use in storing its product/products.

[0003] The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus configured to fasten a container and a closure for the same in a closed configuration, wherein said container and said closure each comprise an aperture, the apparatus comprising:

an insertion portion configured for insertion through said apertures when said container and said closure are in said closed configuration;

a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through said apertures; and

wherein the insertion portion comprises:

a hanging slot, and

a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from said apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through said apertures such that the container and the closure are fastened together between the mechanism and the restraining portion.

[0005] According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosure there is provided a system comprising: the apparatus as above, said container, and said closure.

[0006] According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising:

placing a container and a closure in a closed configuration;

fastening the container and closure in the closed configuration by:

partially inserting the apparatus as mentioned above through an aperture of the container and an aperture of the closure.

[0007] According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus configured to fasten a container and a closure in a closed configuration, wherein said container and said closure each comprise an aperture, the apparatus comprising:

insertion means configured for insertion through said apertures when said container and said closure are in said closed configuration;

restraining means configured to prevent passage of the restraining means through said apertures; and

wherein the insertion means comprises:

hanging means configured to enable the apparatus to be hung,and

impeding means configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from said apertures once the insertion means has been inserted through said apertures such that the container and the closure are fastened between the impeding means and the restraining means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a better understanding of various examples of the present disclosure that are useful for understanding the detailed description and certain embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1A and 1B schematically illustrate an apparatus according to the present disclosure;

Figures 2A to 2G schematically illustrate use of an apparatus according to the present disclosure; and

Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate use of the apparatus of Figure 1.

[0009] The Figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the Figures may be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Examples of an apparatus, system and method for fastening a container and a closure for the same will now be described with reference to the Figures. The Figures focus on the functional components necessary for describing the operation of the apparatus. Similar reference numerals are used in the Figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.

[0011] Figure 1A schematically illustrates an apparatus 100 configured to fasten a container 201 and a closure 202 in a closed configuration (as shown in Figure 1B). The container 201 and the closure 202 each comprise an aperture 201 a, 202a. The apparatus 100 comprises:

an insertion portion 101 configured for insertion through said apertures 201 a, 202a when the container 201 and the closure 202 are in the closed configuration;

a restraining portion 102 configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion 102 through the apertures 201 a, 202a; and

wherein the insertion portion 101 comprises:

a hanging slot 103, and

a mechanism 104 configured to impede removal of the insertion portion 101 from the apertures 201 a, 202a once the insertion portion 101 has been inserted through the apertures 201 a, 202a, such that the container 201 and the closure 202 are fastened together between the mechanism 104 and the restraining portion 102.

[0012] The apparatus 100 may be a fastening device for fastening the container 201 and its closure 202 in the closed configuration thereby providing securely closed packaging 200' for a product or products 203. Not only may the apparatus 100, in effect, act as a locking mechanism securing the container 201 and its closure 202 in a closed configuration, but also it comprises a hanging slot 103 thereby enabling the apparatus 100 (as well as the container 201 and closure 202 fixed thereto) to be hung, for example, in a retail environment. Thus the apparatus 100 can be used, in combination with the container 201 and closure 202 to form a retail package 200'.

[0013] As used herein, the "container" 201 may correspond to a housing, box, compartment or base portion for containing a product 203. The "closure" 202 may be a lid or cover portion for closing or sealing the container 201 in a closed configuration thereby forming a closable container 200 for the product/products 203. The apertures 201 a and 202a may correspond to slots of holes in the container 201 and closure 202. The apertures 201 a and 202a may be disposed on the container 201 and closure 202 such that they substantially overlie/overlap one another when the container 201 and closure 202 are in a closed configuration.

[0014] In various examples of the disclosure, the apparatus 100 is separate, distinct and non-integral with each of the container 201 and the closure 202. The apparatus 100 and it constituent portions and parts may be formed as a single integral member.

[0015] The insertion portion 101 is configured (i.e. shaped and dimensioned) such that it may pass through each of the apertures 201 a and 202a of the container 201 and the closure 202. By contrast, the restraining portion 102 is configured (i.e. shaped and dimensioned) so as to prevent passage of the restraining portion 102 through the apertures 201 a and 202a. For example, with reference to Figure 1A, the dimensions of the insertion portion 101 (e.g. its width and thickness) are configured to be less than the dimensions of the apertures 201 a and 202a (e.g. their width and thickness). By contrast, the dimensions of the restraining portion 102 (e.g. its width and/or thickness) are configured to be greater than the dimensions of the apertures 201 a and 202a.

[0016] The insertion portion 101 may correspond to an insertion member or insertable tab of the apparatus 100 that is sized and dimensioned to pass through the apertures 201 a and 202a of the container 201 and the closure 202. In some examples, the insertion portion 101 may be dimensioned so as to closely correspond to the dimensions of the apertures 201 a and 202a, albeit of slightly lower dimensions, so as to ensure a tight fit of the insertion portion 101 to the apertures 201 a and 202a.

[0017] The restraining portion 102 may correspond to a retention tab having a flange/projecting rim/rib or collar part having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the apertures 201 a and 202a.

[0018] The hanging slot 103 may correspond to a hanging hole, hang tab or any suitable means to enable suspension therefrom, for example so as to enable hanging from a hook/rail/rack in a retail environment.

[0019] The mechanism 104 for impeding removal of the insertion portion 101 from the apertures 201 a and 202a may comprise means configured to enable/facilitate insertion through the apertures 201 a and 202a in a direction of insertion but configured to prevent/impede removal of the inserted insertion portion 101 in an opposite direction. This may be achieved by any suitable means, not least for example via a one way insertion mechanism/non-return latches/detent/flexing barbs and the like as well as a biased/sprung loaded non-return mechanism.

[0020] Reference is now made to Figures 2A to 2G that illustrate use of the apparatus 100 in fastening the container 201 and the closure 202 in a closed configuration.

[0021] Figure 2A shows the container 201 and closure 202 in an open configuration enabling the product or products 203 to be placed within the container 201 following which the container 201 and closure 202 can be brought into the closed configuration (as shown in Figure 2B). In this example, the container 201 and closure 202 are joined together via hinge 204. However, it is to be appreciated that in other examples, other configurations of containers 201 and closures 202 could be used for example, instead of having a hinged closure 202 and container 201, the closure 202 could be slidably engaged with respect to the container 201 so as to enable them to slide with respect to one another into a closed configuration. In further examples, the closure 202 may screw onto the container 201 into the closed configuration.

[0022] The container 201 and closure 202 each comprise an aperture 201 a and 202a, which are configured and disposed such that, when in the closed configuration, the aperture of the container 201 a and the aperture of the closure 202a are aligned with one another, i.e. such that the apertures 201 a and 202a are substantially co-located and overlap with one another (thereby enabling the insertion of the insertion portion 101 of the apparatus 100 through both of the apertures 201 a and 202a, as shown in Figure 2C.

[0023] Figure 2C shows the container 201 fastened by the apparatus 100 in the closed configuration being held in position between the impeding mechanism 104 (impeding removal of the insertion portion 101 from the apertures 201 a and 202a) and the restraining portion 102 (preventing passage of the restraining portion 102 through the apertures 201 a and 202a). This enables the container 201 and the closure 202 to be securely fastened in place between the mechanism 104 and the restraining portion 102, thereby preventing opening of the container 201 and closure 202 as symbolised by arrow 205. The configuration of Figure 2C provides a packaging 200' for the product/products 203 that is particularly suitable for being stowed away/stored (e.g. for storage/transportation) so as to have a reduced size/form factor as compared to the configuration of Figure 2D.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 2D, the apparatus 100 is configured to be foldable (as indicated by arrow 206) so as to enable the insertion portion 101 and the hanging slot 103 formed therein to project outwards and away from the container enclosure such that the hanging slot 103 is exposed and available for use, i.e. to enable the package 200' to be hung by the hanging slot 103. Advantageously, this enables the apparatus 100 to be folded following insertion so as to facilitate the hanging in a retail environment (or folded away to be stowed when being stored/transported as shown in Figure 2C). In some examples, the impeding mechanism 104 comprises a folding/crease line that enables the apparatus 100 to fold in such a manner as to impede the removal of the insertion portion 101 from the apertures 201 a and 202a.

[0025] The apparatus 100 may further comprise a tamper indicating mechanism configured to indicate tampering of the apparatus 100 when in use, e.g. interference or attempted unfastening of the apparatus 100 from the container 201 and closure 202 due to attempted opening of the container 201 and closure 202. Such tamper indicating mechanism may comprise the apparatus 100 being frangible, i.e. tearable, breakable, shatterable or friable. The apparatus 100 may be configured such that, once inserted into the apertures 201 a and 202a, it is not possible to remove the apparatus 100 without breaking the apparatus 100 thereby providing an indication that the apparatus 100 has been tampered. Figure 2E illustrates the apparatus 100' having been broken (as indicated by double headed arrow 207) along a frangible/weakened section of the apparatus 100' between the restraining portion 102 and the impeding mechanism 104, thereby separating the insertion portion 101 and the restraining portion 102 and thus unfastening the container 201 and the closure 202 so as to enable the closure 201 and container 202 to be opened (as represented by arrow 208) to an open configuration as shown in Figure 2F.

[0026] The frangible region of the apparatus 100' may be configured so as to break upon unfastening of the apparatus 100' from the container 201 and closure 202 such that the apparatus 100'can be removed from the container 201 and the closure 202 without damaging either the container 201 or the closure 202 themselves.

[0027] Examples of the apparatus 100 may provide an indication as to tampering of the package 200' (such as opening/attempted opening or prying open of the container 201 and the closure 202 from the fastened closed configuration) but without actually damaging the container 201 and the closure 202 itself. Since the container 201 and closure 202 are not affected by the breaking of the apparatus 100 upon opening of the container 201 and closure202, the container 201 and closure 202 themselves are not functionally nor aesthetically compromised during the opening process and thus can be continued to be used for containing the product/products 203. Advantageously, examples of the disclosure may enable the container 201 and closure 202 to serve as a secure tamper proof/tamper indicating retail packaging 200' when used in combination with the apparatus 100, and thereafter, after breaking the apparatus 100 to open the package, the container 201 and closure 202 can be continued to be used as a (non-secure) packaging/closable container 200. Advantageously, this avoids the need for specific retail packaging for containing a separate and distinct product package 203, which itself contains the product/products. Instead, in examples of the present disclosure, the container 201 and closure 202 may be able to provide dual purpose retail packaging 200' (i.e. with secured/tamper indicating packaging) and, thereafter, product packaging/closable container 200 (i.e. a reusably openable container 201 and closure 202). In such examples, the container 201 and closure 202 may be configured so as to mate/interengage with one another so as to releasably retain the container 201 and the closure 202 in the enclosed configuration (as shown in Figure 2G). Any such suitable releasably retaining mechanism may be used in this, not least for example a snap fit mechanism that enables the container 201 and the closure 202 to be retained in a closed configuration without use of the apparatus 100, albeit in a non-secure non-tamper indicative manner. With such examples, after the apparatus 100 has served its purpose of securing the container 201 and the closure 202 in a secure tamper indicating package, i.e. so as to act as a retail packaging 200' in a retail environment, thereafter, the container 201 and closure 202 can continue to be used as a "conventional packaging"/closable container 200 for the product 203, for example in a normal use/domestic environment.

[0028] In the containers 201 and closures 202 shown in the figures, the aperture 201 a of the container 201 is located on a flange portion 201 b of the container 201. Likewise, the aperture 202a of the closure 202 is located on a flange portion 202b of the closure 202. Such flange portions 201 b and 202b are portions of the container 201 and the closure 202 that overlap with one another in a closed configuration. The apertures 201 a and 202a are located on the respective flange portions 201b and 202b in positions such that the apertures 201 a and 202b substantially align with one another. However, it is to be appreciated that other configurations and positions of the apertures 201 a and 202a are possible. For example, instead of having the aperture 201 a on projecting flange portion 201 b, the aperture 201 a of the container 201 may instead be located in a side end wall 201 c of the container 201. In which case the closure 202 may be provided with a corresponding overlapping side end wall (not shown) which overlaps the side end wall 201 c of the container 201 and the aperture 202a of the closure 202 may be located within such an overlapping side wall of the closure 201.

[0029] Figures 3A and 3B show a plan view and a side on end view respectively of an apparatus 300 according to a further example of the present disclosure. The apparatus 300 comprises an insertion portion 301, restraining portion 302 and hanging slot 303 similar to that as described above. An impeding mechanism 304 takes the form of flexible barbs that flexibly protrude outwards so as to provide a one way insertion mechanism of the insertion portion 301 through the apertures 201 a and 202a of the container 201 and closure 202. A frangible portion 305 is also provided, for example in the form of a weakened section of the apparatus 300 which is readily breakable without damaging the container 201 and the closure 202 itself thereby providing tamper indicating means that may not damage or adversely affect the container 201 and closure 202. The hanging slot 303 is shown as a euro hook. However, the hanging slot 303 may alternatively comprise any suitable aperture or slot suitable for enabling the apparatus 300 to be hung, for example, on a rail or display rack in a retail environment.

[0030] Aspects of the present disclosure also extend to a method for fastening the container 201 in the disclosure. The method comprises: placing the container 201 and closure 202 in a closed configuration and fastening the container 201 and closure 202 in the closed configuration by: partially inserting the apparatus 100 through the aperture 201 a of the container 201 and the aperture 202a of the closure 202.

[0031] Advantageously, various examples of the present invention may provide an apparatus 100 for fastening a container 201 and closure 202 so as to securely retain the container enclosure in a closed configuration. Advantageously, due to the impeding mechanism 104 and the restraining portion 102, the mere act of partial insertion of the apparatus 100 may ensure the automated fastening of the container 201 and closure 202 thereby providing a simple way in which to fasten the container enclosure that may not require multiple parts or assembly of the application or the use of adhesive (e.g. the application of tamper indicating stickers/labels). Thus, the apparatus 100 may be easily attached to the container 201 and closure 202 providing easy installation. Not only may the attachment to the container 201 and closure 202 avoid damaging or deforming the container 201 and closure 202 but moreover the removal of the apparatus 100, by breaking the apparatus 100, likewise may not damage or deform the container 201 and closure 202 thus not affecting the functionality or appearance of the same such that they can continue to be used as an aesthetically pleasing package for the product 203 outside of the retail environment.

[0032] Examples of the invention may avoid the need for separate retail packaging and product packaging as the apparatus 100 effectively provides the requirements for retail packaging (tamper indicating and hanging slot 103 which can be removed when no longer required for a retail environment) leaving just the container 201 and closure 202 to act as a conventional package for the product/products 203.

[0033] The apparatus may be configured such that is may be easily removed by a consumer/user. For example, the apparatus may comprise a frangible region (not least for example a tear off strip) to enable the apparatus to be easily removed by the consumer so as to leaving the container 201 and closure 202 to act as a conventional package for the product/products.

[0034] The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims may be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0035] Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not. Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

[0036] The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one ..." or by using "consisting".

[0037] In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

[0038] In this description, references to "a/an/the" [feature, element, component, means...] are to be interpreted as "at least one" [feature, element, component, means...] unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0039] The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above description of the examples of the present disclosure.

[0040] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured to fasten a container and a closure in a closed configuration, wherein said container and said closure each comprise an aperture, the apparatus comprising:

an insertion portion configured for insertion through said apertures when said container and said closure are in said closed configuration;

a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through said apertures; and

wherein the insertion portion comprises:

a hanging slot, and

a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from said apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through said apertures such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is foldable.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is configurable into a folded position, wherein the folded position is configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from said apertures following insertion of the insertion portion into said apertures.

4. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the insertion portion is configured to enable insertion through said apertures in a direction of insertion, and is configured to prevent removal of the inserted insertion portion in an opposite direction.

5. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a tamper indicating mechanism configured to indicate tampering upon unfastening of the apparatus from said container and closure.

6. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus is configured to be frangible.

7. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a frangible region configured to break upon unfastening of the apparatus from said container and closure such that the apparatus can be removed from the container and the closure without damaging the container and the closure.

8. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the hanging slot is integrally formed with the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the hanging slot comprises one or more of:

an aperture for enabling the apparatus to be hung on a rack, and

a euro hook.

10. The apparatus of any one or more of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus is a fastening device for fastening said container and said closure in said closed configuration.

11. A system comprising:

a container having an aperture;

a closure having an aperture; and

the apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the previous claims.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the apertures are configured such that, when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration, the apertures are aligned.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the container comprises a flange portion and wherein the aperture of the container is located in the flange portion.

14. The system as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the closure and the container are either:

joined together, or

separate components.

15. The system as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the container and the closure are configured to inter-engage with one another so as to releasably retain the container and the closure in the closed configuration.

Drawing